Glenn Close Stars in New Film ‘La Bola Negra’

Veteran actress Glenn Close is set to join the highly anticipated film ‘La Bola Negra,’ a new cinematic venture from the critically acclaimed Spanish filmmaking duo Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, often referred to as ‘Los Javis’. Known for their groundbreaking series ‘Veneno’ and ‘La Mesías,’ Calvo and Ambrossi are embarking on their second feature film, with Close joining an already impressive ensemble cast.

Glenn Close Joins ‘La Bola Negra’: A New Collaboration

The announcement of Glenn Close boarding ‘La Bola Negra’ signals a significant collaboration between Hollywood and one of Europe’s most exciting creative forces in film and television. The project is an original film produced by Movistar Plus+ and Suma Content Films, in co-production with Pedro and Agustín Almodóvar’s El Deseo and France’s Le Pacte. Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi are not only directing but also writing and producing the film, marking their return to feature filmmaking after their 2017 musical, ‘La Llamada’. The directors expressed their excitement, stating it would be an honor to work with an actress of Close’s caliber, noting her enthusiasm for the project after reading the script.

The Thematic Depth of ‘La Bola Negra’

‘La Bola Negra’ (“The Black Ball”) is inspired by an unfinished work of the same name by legendary Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca, who was tragically assassinated before he could complete it. The narrative also draws inspiration from Alberto Conejero’s acclaimed play, ‘La Piedra Oscura’. The film is structured around the interconnected lives of three men across three distinct historical periods in Spain: 1932, 1937, and 2017. This ambitious project delves into themes of sexuality, desire, pain, and inheritance, offering a queer reinterpretation of a significant part of Spanish history. Los Javis aim to explore what it means to be a gay man throughout different eras, highlighting stories of marginalization and the ongoing search for identity.

An Illustrious Ensemble Cast

Glenn Close joins a stellar cast for ‘La Bola Negra.’ Academy Award winner Penélope Cruz is also a lead, alongside singer-songwriter Guitarricadelafuente, who makes his acting debut in the film. Other confirmed cast members include Miguel Bernardeau (‘Élite’), Carlos González (‘Veneno’), and Lola Dueñas (‘La Mesías’), with whom Calvo and Ambrossi have previously collaborated. Further enriching the cast are talents such as Lorenzo Zurzolo (‘Baby’), Julio Torres (‘Fantasmas’), Natalia de Molina (‘Superestar’), Antonio de la Torre (‘The Realm’), and Albert Pla (‘La Mesías’), alongside emerging talents like Milo Quifes. Many of the crew members from ‘La Mesías’ are also returning for this new production, ensuring a cohesive creative environment.

The Acclaimed Vision of Calvo and Ambrossi

Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi have garnered international acclaim for their distinctive storytelling and empathetic portrayal of complex characters. Their series ‘Veneno,’ which premiered on HBO Max, received widespread critical praise and a GLAAD Award, being recognized by publications like *Variety* and *The New Yorker* as one of the best series of its year. Their subsequent series, ‘La Mesías,’ continued this success, earning top awards at France’s Series Mania, Europe’s most prominent TV festival, and being hailed by *Libération* as “one of the most beautiful series of the year.” With ‘La Bola Negra,’ Los Javis return to feature filmmaking, promising another deeply personal and socially resonant narrative.

Glenn Close: A Legacy of Excellence

Glenn Close brings a wealth of experience and numerous accolades to ‘La Bola Negra.’ With a career spanning decades, Close has amassed three Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and three Tony Awards, alongside eight Academy Award nominations. Her notable performances include her role as Norma Desmond in the London production of ‘Sunset Boulevard,’ for which she received an Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical Performance. Close’s recent projects include the independent film ‘The Summer Book’ and upcoming appearances in Ryan Murphy’s series ‘All’s Fair’ and Rian Johnson’s ‘Wake Up Dead Man, A Knives Out Mystery.’ Her extensive television work also includes the film ‘Serving in Silence’ and the series ‘Damages.’

Production and Global Distribution

Production for ‘La Bola Negra’ commenced in August in Spain. The filming will take place over 12 weeks in various locations across Castilla y León, Cantabria, Andalusia, and the Community of Madrid, with additional shooting outside of Spain. The film is being shot on 35mm film, utilizing a large part of the technical team from ‘La Mesías,’ including cinematographer Gris Jordana and art director Roger Bellés. Elástica will handle the theatrical release of ‘La Bola Negra’ in Spain in 2026, while Goodfellas is managing international sales, indicating a broad global reach for the film.

With a compelling narrative rooted in historical and literary inspiration, a powerhouse cast, and the distinctive vision of Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, ‘La Bola Negra’ is poised to be a significant cinematic event that will undoubtedly draw international attention upon its release.